4 Weeks of Elul 5765
Week Three: Personal and Professional Relationships

This time of Cheshbon Ha-nefesh during the month of Elul causes us to question assumptions about the central relationships in our lives. Most of us operate in a variety of personal and professional settings. The way that we interact with others varies with the situations in which we find ourselves. For example, we have different expectations of ourselves and others in a professional environment than we may have in a social or familial setting. Nonetheless, there are basic assumptions about human interactions that remain constant regardless of the arena in which they take place. The torah teaches that every person is created in the image of God. Our dealings with others must reflect this awareness.

The Mishnah teaches that on Yom Kippur the sins we have committed against God will be forgiven if we are truly repentant. The sins we commit against others, however, cannot be forgiven unless and until we have asked those whom we have wronged to forgive us. Now is the time to question both the expectations and behaviors that we take for granted in all of our relationships. The following questions are designed to make us think about the current status of the many different relationships in our lives. Again, this is by no means a complete list. Hopefully it will provide you with a starting point for improving the relationships in your lives.

1. Have I truly attempted to see the holiness that is inside others?
2. Have I done all that I could to maintain friendships that have, for one reason or another, fallen by the wayside?
3. Have I neglected my family while concentrating on my work?
4. Have I asked those whom I have wronged over the past year to forgive me?
5. Will I be able to forgive those who come to me to ask for my forgiveness?
6. Have I taken part in any business or personal transactions this past year that were against my religious, moral or ethical principles?
7. Have I taken time recently to let the most important people in my life know how much I care about them?

Again, I want to hear from you regarding these messages. I welcome your comments and suggestions. I can be reached by phone (883-1818) or e-mail (). These questions will also be available in hard copy at the Temple Office. If you know of anyone else who might want to receive these lists, contact our list administrator, .

L'shanah Tovah U'metukah - May you have a good and sweet new year,

Rabbi Joseph R. Black
Email: